Ferrets
The Black-Footed Ferret
Did you know that black-footed ferrets are some of the most fearsome animals for their size? They kill animals bigger than themselves, like a rooster, and drag their prey across the ground with their teeth to their burrow. But sadly, they are endangered, so they need help surviving.
A black-footed ferret has a long, slender body for moving through hollow logs with ease. They weigh between 18 and 20 ounces and can grow up to 22 inches long. They have long, curved claws, long whiskers, and have black eyes and a black nose. They have black paws and legs and have a black tip on there tails. They have a black V-shaped mask across there eyes. They have nearly white fur on their throat and belly.
A black footed ferret eats many animals including insects, birds, mice, and voles. Bigger animals, such as chickens, prairie dogs and hares, can still be killed with ease. The way this predator kills is very interesting. They bite the neck of an animal and then pull it away so no other carnivores can eat it.
These animals are artificially bred. They take the sperm cells from the male and put them in the female. When the babies are born and grown, they release them in Wyoming, Utah, Montana, South Dakota, Mexico, and Colorado. The also have captive breeding facilities in these states.
These predators are also prey. They are hunted by mammals such as dogs, coyotes, and badgers. They are also hunted by some birds such as golden eagles and great horned owls. Their population also decreased because of poison, the decreasing number of prairie dogs, which are their chief food, and a disease called canine distemper. But thanks to captive breeding programs, the population went from 18 to 800 black-footed ferrets.
As you can see, the black-footed ferret needs help. This small creature still has a chance, but it is slime since the population has only risen by a reported 1%. These animals, that we work hard to protect, might be extinct. Please protect this recovering animal or all our efforts will be wasted.
Go to Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program